Long range rifle question
- Thread starter meeneen
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I shoot with 2 guys from Phoenix that hunt with the 300 PRC. It is a serious cartridge. I have done a lot of long range hunting/shooting and if old age and blood thinners weren't an issue, my choice would be the 300PRC.meeneen said:
Now, if this is gunna be your first trek into LR shooting, my choice would be .308 Win. As with most shooting, LR shooting is more about the fundamentals, angles and the real elephant in the room, your ability to understand and read the wind. Best way to learn those three, is to shoot, a lot and the .308 Win gives you that opportunity at about 3 to 1 over the two cartridges you mentioned.
There is a lot information out there and two of the better sites built around LR shooting:
https://www.snipershide.com/precision-rifle/
https://www.shootsmallgroups.com/
I wish you luck...it's fun!
If it’s your first precision rifle, I’d actually suggest a 6.5mm Creedmoor over a .308WIN in so much that recoil is less and it’s ballistically superior. HOWEVER, the advantages of a .308 are that the heavier recoil and lesser ballistics serve as an excellent platform to learn and perfect the fundamentals. If you can shoot a .308 well, most other cartridges should be easy to shoot well.
I run a .308 and like it, but would welcome a 6.5CM if the budget had room for one. Or more specifically, an AI AT with both barrels.
I run a .308 and like it, but would welcome a 6.5CM if the budget had room for one. Or more specifically, an AI AT with both barrels.
I’ve been shooting 308, for the past 5-6 years. Looking to step into post 1000 meter range. I should have posted more info on that. I agree with all of you that trigger time is more important to get fundamentals down. With that said anyone like one over the other.
Doc
Member
meeneen said:
Are you reloading?
Beyond 1,000M target shooting what other use do you have?
What platform is your 308W?
What’s your rifle budget?
What’s your glass budget?
These will determine the advice I offer.
I am not reloading at this time. (Been looking into primers etc and I picked a really bad time to try and get into it).
Beyond 1000meter punching paper or steel, I may use it for hunting at some point (elk, bear).
My 308 is a Remington 700.
Budget for the rifle is 1k-1200
Glass budget is around 6-800
Beyond 1000meter punching paper or steel, I may use it for hunting at some point (elk, bear).
My 308 is a Remington 700.
Budget for the rifle is 1k-1200
Glass budget is around 6-800
Doc
Member
meeneen said:
After reading your intended uses I offer the following suggestions, I’ll preface it with “in my opinion”
Most guys who are competitive at 1k meters practice. And that means a lot of shooting. And a lot of shooting adds up in more than just the cost of ammo, your body has to absorb all that recoil too. But even if you are some bad ass he-man who laughed at the thought of recoil can you really afford double the powder every trigger pull?
You likely won’t enjoy long range target shooting with a magnum anything as much as you will with a lighter and perhaps more capable cartridge than the 6CM. For PAPER punching it really checks a lot of boxes. It’s going to save you money in powder and projos in the long haul and PAPER doesn’t care about down range “knock down power”
There is an extensive amount of knowledge on the 6CM and with faster twist barrels you can really take advantage of the ballistically superior projos being manufactured today. Heck, a guy can even buy some great match grade ammo. Check the shelves, most Sportsmans have 6CM on the shelf….if a guy is willing to pay what they are asking. Most of us who reload buy in bulk for consistency, if you are buying box Ammo, try to stick to the same lot but at a minimum….don’t buy a bunch of different stuff because brass will have varying case capacity from manufacturers. Just trust me on this one.
A 1000m rifle will also vary greatly from a hunting rig in almost every way. Now I’m not saying a guy can’t frame a house with a ball peen hammer….but there’s a better hammer for the job.
If you intention is to be competitive with even yourself at 1000m you really want some weight on that rifle and most guys don’t enjoy tracking game with an 18lb rifle after hauling it around the wilderness.
Most my kills take place inside 100yds, for several reasons but the biggest reason is because I already walk deep into the woods on a hunt, and anything I harvest has to be carried back out.
Yes you did pick the worst time to get into reloading but you also picked the best time to get into glass. Long gone are the days of duplex reticles, funky feeling turrets and SFP rifle scopes. I think your budget can get you some great glass. One I think you should consider is https://www.arkenopticsusa.com if you hate the scope, sell it. They are in high demand. Take the saving on glass and upgrade the trigger in whatever factory rifle you choose.
Your 308w will take elk and bear especially if you develop the skills to be discerning with your shot placement. And if you are getting hits at 1000m I suspect by then you will have developed those skills.
TL;DR:
Look at 6CM for
-cost savings
-less recoil
-ballistic advantage
Doc
Member
knockonit said:
RJ,
This is a good read. https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/300-prc/
Highlights of the 6.5PRC vs 300WM:
-more recoil than 300wm
-less barrel life than 300wm
-If you already have a .300 Win Mag, there’s really not a big reason to upgrade to the 300 PRC unless you just want to
Not from article
Most would agree on barrel life:
300PRC: 1500
300WM: 1700
Here is a spreadsheet in this article you can really get into the weeds:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/excel-formula-predicts-useful-barrel-life/
Sometimes a guy just needs a new barrel and something to renew his internet in the hobby…but I still maintain it’s not a practical choice for 1000m comp shooting unless it’s a 1000m 6.5PRC comp.
yep, i figure back in the day i was getting good placement, up to about 1k plus or minus rounds, but i was pushing some heat, not any more, the old guy only bruises now, itd be a have to deploy situation, but suspect one wouldn't wanna be in front of me.
good shooting, just trigger time and perseverance
Rj
good shooting, just trigger time and perseverance
Rj
I'd start with a 6.5CM. The 6CM is great, but shorter barrel life will make practice a little more expensive.
The 308win will get out to about 1k pretty well, but not without specific ammo. Federal Gold Medal Match 175gr would be my pick.
6.5CM will do it easier, and further out. And will be cheaper to feed even if handloading.
If I wasn't already invested in 308win heavily, it's the direction I'd go.
The 308win will get out to about 1k pretty well, but not without specific ammo. Federal Gold Medal Match 175gr would be my pick.
6.5CM will do it easier, and further out. And will be cheaper to feed even if handloading.
If I wasn't already invested in 308win heavily, it's the direction I'd go.
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